Celebrate nature this spring with the Little Traverse Conservancy
NORTHERN MICHIGAN — Are you looking for a chance to get outside, spy some migrating birds or plant a tree?
The Little Traverse Conservancy, which covers Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Emmet and Mackinac counties, has plenty of opportunities coming up this spring for people to explore their local preserves or volunteer with projects.
All of these events are free to attend, but pre-registration is required at www.landtrust.org/events or by calling 231-347-0991.
Sky Watching with Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 8Where: Meet at the corner of Pond and Askin streets at the south end of Mackinaw City
At the peak of migration, join birders from the Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch for a chance to see and identify raptors and more. Dress warm, and bring your own binoculars and chair.Sky Dancing with the American Woodcock
When: 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18Where: Hailand/Helstrom Nature Preserve Complex in Harbor Springs
Join conservancy staff and members of the Al Litzenburger Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society to discover the spring mating display of the American woodcock. Come with a headlamp.
Clearing Trails without Power Tools: An Introduction to Crosscut Saws and Axes
When: 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, May 6Where: Little Traverse Conservancy office/Round Lake Nature Preserve in Harbor Springs
Do you enjoy the quiet solitude of the woods? If you are a volunteer or would you like to learn more about maintaining your owns trails without the noise, weight and danger of a chainsaw, join conservancy volunteer and U.S. Forest Service certified Crosscut Sawyer Dan Dueweke for a one-hour presentation indoors, followed by hand-sawing practice outside. Bring your own hand tools and an axe or crosscut saw if you have them. Group size is limited, so registration is required.Spring Tree Planting
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 6Where: Consuelo Diane and Charles L. Wilson Jr. Working Forest Reserve in Harbor Springs
The conservancy will be planting trees to kick start forest succession and keep out invasive plants at this former pasture land. Snacks and water will be provided. Bring work gloves, lunch and dress for the weather. The hike to the work site is about a half mile walk through an open meadow.
Mother’s Day Wildflower Hike
When: 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 12Where: Ransom Nature Preserve in Charlevoix County
Join Little Traverse Conservancy Conservation Specialist Amy Lipson for a hike through the Ransom Nature Preserve in Charlevoix County. A wide variety of spring wildflowers bloom here, and there is a view of Lake Michigan from the hilltop. The group will also be able to see the new Bytwerk Working Forest Reserve, which does not have trails yet but has drumlin topography and northern hardwood forests. Be prepared to walk for up to an hour and a half on terrain that includes some hills.
More:New hiking and biking trails coming to Cheboygan County
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Spring Birding at the Greenwood Foundation
When: 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 20 Where: Greenwood Foundation – Windswept Entrance in Wolverine
Join conservancy volunteer and birder extraordinaire Mary Trout as the group explores the varying trails and habitats of the Greenwood Foundation. May is the month for migration and courting so they will look — and listen — as birds sing and establish their territories.
Learn How to Construct and Maintain Backcountry Nature Trails
When: 5-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 25 Where: Barbara C. Hoffius Nature Preserve in Cheboygan
Join trail builder Dave McVicker and a Little Traverse Conservancy staff member at the new Barbara C. Hoffius Nature Preserve trail for a hike on the new trail and an explanation on how to construct and maintain backcountry trails so that they fit into the surroundings and provide an undisturbed nature experience.
Discover the Nature Megaphone! – An Earth Week Plus Event for Families
When: 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, June 3 Where: Meet at the Agnes S. Andreae Nature Preserve parking area on Riverwoods Trail and Big Sky Trail in Afton
Have you ever wanted to amplify the sounds of nature? The Nature Megaphone does just that! Join Little Traverse Conservancy staff and two young conservancy ambassadors — ages 2 and 4 — as they make their way through woods and over water to the Nature Megaphone. Expect 2 miles total of slow walking on trails. People of all ages are welcome.
Restoration Tour: Offield Family Viewlands
When: 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21 Where: Offield Family Viewlands in Harbor Springs, meet at the kiosk near the white tent in the upper parking lot
This is a joint program with the Little Traverse Conservancy and the local Invasive Species Management Specialists, CAKE CISMA. The restoration at the Offield Family Viewlands is well underway, but it will be years before this former golf course functions as a cohesive natural area. Join staff from both organizations and learn the methods they are using to remove invasive species and support prairie projects. Register in advance and be prepared to hike on and off trails in hilly terrain.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Celebrate nature this spring with the Little Traverse Conservancy
